Yesterday I had a great conversation with a friend about road signs. The powerful content plainly stated in bold Helvetica fonts that can hold little weight at a passing highway glance compared to the magnitude of seeing the distance between your physical presence and a foreign city you’ve never before visited. Similarly, in the Where Are We Going? rugs by the Nought Collective, the stripped down gridwork of a city map transforms itself into a flood of mental imagery as a meaningful graphic atop a high quality rug.

Where Are We Going. (Beijing in Graphite and NYC in Charcoal) Designed by Nought Collective Respond.

The New York-based Nought Collective effectively describes the cartographic rug designs in one sentence: “Inspired by the great cities of the past, present, and future, Where Are We Going? explores the geometry created by peoples and cultures as they gather, organize, and connect to each other and the natural environment.” Not only do the large images give you the opportunity to map out your former commute to work in Manhattan, the coolest neighborhoods around Paris, and the craziest metro stops in Beijing, to name a few – their rugs also give you plenty of individualized options. Choose one of five different sizes – 5′ x 6.25′, 6′ x 7.5′, 7′ x 8.75′, 8′ x 10′, or 10′ x 12.5′ – in chalk, ash, charcoal or graphite colors on pure silk and blends of wool and cashmere.

Lima in Graphite Chalk and Charcoal Chalk. Designed by Nought Collective Respond.

Manhattan in Chalk Chalk and Graphite Chalk. Designed by Nought Collective Respond.

Paris in Chalk and Charcoal. Designed by Nought Collective Respond.

All of the hand-knotted Nepalese Where Are We Going? rugs are designed by Tracey Sawyer and the other designers at Nought Collective. Using subtle color changes and a great combination of lights and darks, they emphasize the depth of the weave and make the graphic literally jump off of your floor.

For many, great memories from the past make a unique centerpiece. Consider ordering a hometown map of Yankton, South Dakota or your honeymoon week in Barcelona to adorn your current seaside escape, mountain cabin, or urban studio as though it were a simple road sign, documenting your journey.